By Stefan Coerts

The towering defender has hailed his side's fitness and admitted that Rayo Vallecano caused Barca trouble on Sunday.

Gerard Pique has stressed that Barcelona is in superb shape physically ahead of the decisive stages of the 2012-13 campaign.

There were question marks over the Blaugrana's condition after a number of disappointing performances in February, but the center back has insisted the team is back to full fitness.

"We’re going into the final stretch of the season in top physical condition," Pique was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"We know what football is like, one week you’re the best team in the world and the next you’re the worst. We know how to measure ourselves and we know it’s important to be cool headed about it."

The defender then reflected on the 3-1 Liga win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, and stated the Madrid-based side did not make things easy for Barcelona.

"We have enough experience to know that these matches are not easy at all and that we needed to be just as intense tonight as we were on Tuesday [against Milan]," he added. "Rayo worked hard and they made it difficult for us."

Barcelona continues to dominate the Primera Division and holds a 13-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid.